Atmospheric Comp and..
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Transcript Atmospheric Comp and..
Our atmosphere
Important mixture of gases that sustain life
on Earth
480km (300 miles) thick
Beyond the atmosphere is the EXOSPHERE
Contains small quantities of hydrogen and
helium
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Major
components of
the
troposphere
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Major Atmospheric Components
Nitrogen
Originates mostly from volcanic sources
Without nitrogen there would be no life
Oxygen
By-product of photosynthesis
Concentration of oxygen varies with latitude
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Argon
Constitutes almost 1% of the atmosphere
Not necessary for life but it used for some economic
purposes
Carbon dioxide
By-product of life
Important for keeping atmosphere warm
increases in CO2 can cause an increase in atmospheric
temperature
Water vapor
Variable from near 0 – 4 %
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The
Atmospheric
Profile
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The Atmosphere
The thermosphere
The mesophere
The stratosphere
The troposphere
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The Troposphere (weathersphere)
Water vapor, clouds, pollution, and life occur
within the troposphere
~ 18km (11 miles) thick at equator; 12 km (8
miles) thick in the mid-latitudes; and 8km (5
miles) thick near the poles
Top of troposphere known as the tropopause
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Lapse Rates in the Troposphere
As we go upwards in the
troposphere, the temperature
decreases
6.4°C/1km or 3.5°F/1000ft =
AVERAGE
This number is not that
important
Can vary considerably with
varying weather conditions
and locations
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The stratosphere
Temperatures increase from -57°C at the base
of the stratosphere to O°C at the top (50km
above Earth’s surface)
Why?
Top of the stratosphere is called the Stratopause
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The mesophere
50 – 80 km above Earth’s
surface
Outer boundary known
as the mesopause
Temperature drops from
O°C to - 90°C at the
mesopause
Occasional coalescence
of cosmic and meteoric
dust form clouds
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The thermosphere
Upper surface
known as the
thermopause
Temperatures
increase to ~1200°C
at the thermopause
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Atmospheric
function
Two main zones
The ozonosphere
The ionosphere
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Functions of
the
atmosphere
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Ozonosphere and Ionosphere
OZONOSPHERE
Contains a high level of
ozone
Efficiently absorbs UV
wavelengths of energy
Ozone is being depleted due
to human activity
IONOSPHERE
Efficiently absorbs
cosmic, gamma, x-rays,
and UV wavelengths of
energy
Recent rebound
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All the Earth’s energy
ultimately comes from
the sun
Weather and climate are
ultimately driven by
The energy gain from the
sun
The Earth’s position
relative to the sun
Electromagnetic spectrum
Mr. ROY G BIV
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HOW TO REMEMBER THE ORDER
OF VISIBLE LIGHT
ROY G BIV
RED
ORANGE
YELLOW
GREEN
BLUE
INDIGO
VIOLET
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Solar radiation and Earth’s reradiation
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